The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Zetia. (A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way.) This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. Note: Zetia isnt approved to lower these types of cholesterol: Cholesterol is measured in several ways. Also, if you have a history of heavy drinking or liver damage, be sure to tell your doctor before you begin taking Zetia. Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include: If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. The heartbeat increases with a feeling of the heart fluttering. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. Off-label use is when a drug thats approved to treat one condition is used to treat a different condition. Lipitor is available in a generic form called atorvastatin. They may be able to help determine whats causing your hair loss. Examples of statin drugs include atorvastatin (Lipitor) and simvastatin (Zocor). If you need to take these drugs together, take Zetia at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after taking cholestyramine. It belongs to a class of drugs called cholesterol absorption inhibitors. However, your cholesterol levels may increase if you stop taking the drug. Learn about side effects, dosage, and more. Cholesterol absorption inhibitors prevent your small intestine from absorbing cholesterol. Qu H, et al. If you develop increased liver enzyme levels, your doctor may make changes to your treatment plan. All rights reserved. Symptoms: This section is currently in development. They can recommend treatments that may help with joint pain, or they may recommend a different treatment option for you. You may also have muscle cramps, spasms, or stiffness. Youll likely take Zetia once a day. What foods should I avoid while taking Zetia. Medications in the fibrate drug class may increase the amount of cholesterol thats stored in your gallbladder. In studies, some people had to stop taking Zetia because of this side effect. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is one of a group of disorders that have orthostatic intolerance (OI) as their primary symptom. dark colored urine. Drugs in this class prevent your small intestine from absorbing cholesterol. Therefore, you shouldnt breastfeed if youre taking Zetia with a statin drug. Uses. If youve noticed memory problems while taking Zetia, talk with your doctor. Since every POTS patient is different, some may primarily experience gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting or poor feeding, Berger explained. It isnt known how often this side effect occurred with Zetia in clinical studies. If you have any questions about eating certain foods while taking Zetia, talk with your doctor. yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.118.009835, organon.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/z/zetia/zetia_pi.pdf, Alternatives to Statins for Lowering Cholesterol. Fenofibrate belongs to the fibrate drug class. Zetia may stay in your system for several days after you stop taking it. Read more about how inherited high cholesterol affects life expectancy and what makes it different from regular hypercholesterolemia. This section doesnt contain all drugs that may interact with Zetia. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. tender, swollen glands in neck. Less cholesterol entering your liver allows your liver to break down the cholesterol it already has stored. If you have questions about weight changes while using Zetia, talk with your doctor. Below are examples of these side effects. Zetia hasnt been studied in certain types of dyslipidemia, including Frederickson types I, III, IV, and V. Zetia is taken orally with or without food. Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Zetia include: * To learn more about this side effect, see the Side effects explained section below. Medications in the statin drug class work differently than cholesterol absorption inhibitors like Zetia. Statins lower cholesterol by preventing your liver from making new cholesterol. For more information on these side effects, see Side effect details below. To help you decide whether Zetia is a good treatment choice for you, talk with your doctor. These lists contain up to 10 of the most common mild side effects that can occur with Zetia, with Lipitor, or with both drugs (when taken individually). This can cause gallstones (hardened stones in your gallbladder). Youll also need to check your insurance plan, as it may only cover one or the other. More common side effects in people taking Zetia* include: * In studies, these side effects were reported in people who took Zetia by itself. Or they may recommend a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream. Zetia is FDA-approved to treat certain forms of high cholesterol in adults and children. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Cardiology 33 years experience. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include: * You may be more likely to experience this side effect if you take Zetia with a statin drug than if you take Zetia alone. Zetia can also be used with statin drugs in adults. Zetia may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. However, skip your missed dose if its almost time for your next dose. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you. You should store Zetia tablets at a room temperature of 77F (25C) in a tightly sealed container away from light. Ezetimibe may cause side effects. However, you may still experience muscle problems if you use Zetia alone. Before approving coverage for Zetia, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. Zetia may cause joint pain. These problems can include muscle pain and muscle weakness, and rarely, muscle breakdown. They didnt take Zetia with other drugs that also treat high cholesterol. Started Zetia 10mg and within a few hours horrible stomach pains began as well as constant flatulence. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide if the drug will be covered. * For more information about this side effect, see " Zetia: Side effects explained " below. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It wasnt reported during studies of the drug. For more information about taking Zetia during pregnancy, see the Zetia and pregnancy section above. The phase IV clinical study analyzes which people take Zetia and have Constipation. Serious side effects from Zetia arent common, but they can occur. Risk factors for muscle-related problems. Yes, treatment with Zetia should lower your triglycerides. Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above. They may have suggestions depending on your weight and health goals. But some people have reported memory loss, confusion, and forgetfulness while taking a statin drug. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a blood circulation disorder characterized by two factors: A specific group of symptoms that frequently occur when standing upright. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include: Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Zetia. . Or should I wait to see if I develop such side effects? To learn how Zetia and the other treatments in the study affected peoples levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, triglycerides, non-HDL cholesterol, and Apo B, see the prescribing information. Zetia belongs to a class of drugs called cholesterol absorption inhibitors. Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat primary high cholesterol include: Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat mixed high cholesterol include: Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia include: Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat homozygous sitosterolemia include: You may wonder how Zetia compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. People with this condition have high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol. Before starting a new medication, its a good idea to talk with a healthcare professional about any questions or concerns you may have. During your Zetia treatment, consider keeping notes on any side effects youre having. Then you can share this information with your doctor. Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. This is because fenofibrate is the only fibrate Zetia was studied with, so it isnt known whether Zetia and other fibrate drugs are safe to use together. Its not known if Zetia is safe to take during pregnancy. For example, in studies, some people had to stop taking the drug because their liver enzyme levels increased. These tests will look at your cholesterol levels and also your liver enzyme levels. Zetia is a prescription drug used to treat certain types of high cholesterol. These lists contain up to 10 of the most common mild side effects that can occur with Zetia, with Crestor, or with both drugs (when taken individually). Different interactions can cause different effects. diarrhea*. While there's no cure, several treatments and lifestyle changes can help manage the symptoms of POTS. It can cause mild side effects and, less commonly, serious side effects. Zetia (ezetimibe) is a prescription drug used to treat certain types of high cholesterol in adults and children. Clinical studies have shown Zetia to be effective for treating homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia when used with atorvastatin or simvastatin. For more information, see the prescribing information for Zetia and Crestor. If you would like to report to the FDA a side effect youve had with Zetia, you can do so through MedWatch. Some people may develop mild or serious side effects during Zetia treatment. This disorder affects the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary body functions such as body temperature and heart rate. Statins are commonly prescribed with Zetia to treat certain types of high cholesterol. For this purpose, Zetia may be used alone or with fenofibrate. Using Zetia with medications in the fibrate drug class raises your risk of gallstones even more. Zetia is available as a tablet that you take by mouth. This means you should avoid foods that are high in cholesterol and other types of fat. And your doctor can use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed. You may experience muscle problems as a side effect of Zetia. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. The absence of symptoms doesn't necessarily mean that the cause of POTS is gone as well. tightness of chest or wheezing. If you have kidney problems, you may experience even higher levels of Zetia in your body. Others may experience GI issues in conjunction with other symptoms, such as fainting. Here we look at how Zetia and Lipitor are alike and different. Zetias side effects are usually mild, especially if youre taking Zetia alone. Learn about the side effects it can cause and how to manage them. POTS is a kind of dysautonomia or autonomic nervous disorder. POTS is commonly associated with low levels of fluid. Total cholesterol was reduced by 12% more in children who took Zetia and simvastatin than children who took simvastatin alone. Covers lawsuits, malpractice, class actions, fraud, legislation, regulation, enforcement. Symptoms of a swollen gallbladder may include: Tell your doctor if you experience gallstones while using Zetia with fenofibrate. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. You may not have any symptoms of high cholesterol unless youve developed a type of heart disease called atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries). Typical symptoms of POTS include: heart palpitations (feeling your heart beating or racing) dizziness or lightheadedness. Learn about the drugs dosages, forms, strengths, and more. Your doctor will likely start you on the typical dosage approved to treat your condition. Statin drugs arent safe to use during pregnancy. Statins shouldnt be used during pregnancy. joint pain *. The causes of POTS are unknown, but the problem is thought to lie in the communication breakdown between the brain and the cardiovascular system. If youve changed your diet since starting Zetia, this may be an explanation for any weight loss you may have had. Learn about side effects, dosage, uses, interactions, and more. Statins, another medication for high cholesterol, are known to cause muscle-related side effects. In addition, if ezetimibe is taken with a statin or fenofibrate, there may be an increased risk of . Zetia and Lipitor are both brand-name drugs. These drugs havent been directly compared in clinical studies. 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